1
a
: any of an order (Araneae synonym Araneida) of arachnids having a short, usually unsegmented abdomen linked to the cephalothorax by the pedicel, chelicerae modified into poison fangs, and two or more pairs of spinnerets at the posterior end of the abdomen for spinning threads of silk for various uses (as in making cocoons for their eggs or webs to catch prey)
Note: Spiders are further characterized by leglike pedipalps near the mouth, usually eight simple eyes, and book lungs or tracheae in the abdomen.
b
: any of various other arthropods and especially arachnids that resemble the true spiders
—not used technically
2
: a cast-iron frying pan originally made with short feet to stand among coals on the hearth
3
: any of various devices consisting of a frame or skeleton with radiating arms or members
Examples of spider in a Sentence
We watched the spider spin its web.
Recent Examples on the Web
Good morning, and Happy Halloween! While most people are afraid of ghosts or spiders, HR professionals have their own particular fears about the workplace.
—
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
For instance, think about insects’ antennae, scorpions’ pincers and spiders’ fangs.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
In a report published Tuesday in the journal Current Biology, Parry and a team of researchers announced the fossil is a previously unknown species of arthropod − a category that includes spiders and insects − dating back 450 million years ago to the Ordovician Period (485-443 million years ago).
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
Tilt the chair over and vacuum the bottom where spiders like to lay their eggs as well as the legs of the chair.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spider 
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
For instance, think about insects’ antennae, scorpions’ pincers and spiders’ fangs.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
In a report published Tuesday in the journal Current Biology, Parry and a team of researchers announced the fossil is a previously unknown species of arthropod − a category that includes spiders and insects − dating back 450 million years ago to the Ordovician Period (485-443 million years ago).
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
Tilt the chair over and vacuum the bottom where spiders like to lay their eggs as well as the legs of the chair.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spider
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spider.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near spider
Cite this Entry
“Spider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spider. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spider
noun
spi·der
ˈspīd-ər 
1
: any of an order of arachnids that have two or more pairs of abdominal organs for spinning threads of silk used in making cocoons for their eggs, nests for themselves, or webs for catching their prey
2
: a cast-iron frying pan
Medical Definition
spider
noun
spi·der
ˈspīd-ər
1
: any of an order (Araneae synonym Araneida) of arachnids having a body with two main divisions, four pairs of walking legs, and two or more pairs of abdominal spinnerets for spinning threads of silk used especially in making webs for catching prey
2
: spider nevus
an arterial spider
3
: an obstruction in the teat of a cow
especially
: a small irregular horny growth resulting from irritation or bruising
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